Leadership

OMA Supports Bill to Curtail Organized Retail Crime

This week, the OMA provided support for Senate Bill 184, which would require online marketplaces to collect basic information from third-party sellers using their platforms in an effort to stop the sale of counterfeit or stolen goods. Supporters of SB 184, including the OMA, contend the measure would help protect manufacturers and their brands, and safeguard intellectual property. 11/11/2021

Webinar: Helping Small Businesses Find Export Markets

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, the Ohio Small Business Development Centers will host its one-hour “Research Markets for Exports” webinar. The free event aims to help smaller companies identify optimal foreign markets, while providing customized exporting solutions. 11/10/2021

OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard

Yesterday, OSHA released its vaccinate-or-test Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19. Under the ETS, Jan. 4 is the deadline for workers of companies with 100 or more employees (firm or company-wide) to be fully vaccinated (or face weekly testing).

To assist employers with compliance, OSHA offers this webinar, fact sheet, FAQ page, and these other compliance materials.

Read our COVID-19 Update from yesterday for additional details. 11/4/2021

Ohio Manufacturer Challenges OSHA Vaccine Mandate

Partnering with legal counsel from the Buckeye Institute, a conservative think tank, OMA member Phillips Tube Group filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the OSHA emergency temporary standard (ETS). The lawsuit came hours after the Biden administration released the ETS. The manufacturer contends that the vaccine mandate on private business will create hardships on employers in an already tight labor market. 11/4/2021

No Surprises in Ohio’s Congressional Races

In unofficial results, Democrat Shontel Brown beat Republican Laverne Gore 79% to 21% for the unexpired term of U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge in the 11th Ohio Congressional District.

Also in unofficial results, Republican Mike Carey bested Democrat Allison Russo 58% to 42% for the unexpired term in the Ohio 15th Congressional District, formerly represented by Steve Stivers, now president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. 11/3/2021

House and Senate Republicans Unveil Congressional District Maps

This week, Ohio Republicans unveiled their proposals for the new congressional district maps. While the House and Senate GOP outlined separate proposals, both show a disadvantage to Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, merging her current democratic district with GOP-heavy counties. (See House-proposed map and Senate-proposed map.)

Neither proposal is likely to become the final map as hearings continue on each one. Lawmakers have until November 30 to approve a new map. They need 60% of the General Assembly plus 33% of the Democrats to vote for a map to last 10 years. Otherwise, the map will only be in effect for fours years. 11/4/2021

Benefits of Tort Reform Questioned

From 2003 through 2006, Ohio policymakers advanced a responsible package of lawsuit reforms designed to mitigate the wave of frivolous lawsuits being brought against businesses. The reforms to Ohio’s tort or injury laws have been championed by business organizations including the OMA. The reforms rationalized risk for plaintiffs and defendants, enhancing Ohio’s economic competitiveness. Insurance premiums have dropped in the aftermath, reflecting the added predictability.

Ohio Capital Journal this week ran a story on the unexpected consequences of tort reforms. It is believed the article was likely spun by enterprising plaintiffs lawyers looking to build momentum for Ohio to return to a riskier lawsuit environment.

The OMA Government Affairs Committee will dig deeper into the matter at its meeting on Nov 18. All members are welcome; register here. 11/4/2021

Report: Transformation of the American Workforce

OMA Connections Partner RSM has just published a fresh edition of The Real Economy. This issue covers:

• Workforce Transformation: The American Labor Market, Business and the Post-Pandemic Economy;
• How $15 an Hour Became the De Facto Minimum Wage; and
• How Businesses are Prioritizing ESG as it Reaches an Inflection Point; among other insights.

Click to download. 11/3/2021

2021 Ohio Business Matchmaker Is Nov. 17-18

The virtual Ohio Business Matchmaker, November 17-18, offers a unique opportunity for businesses interested in doing business with the federal, state or local government to meet with representatives to market and sell their goods and services. This event is open to all small and large businesses. 10/29/2021

Survey: Manufacturing Prices Grow at Record Pace

The IHS Markit Flash U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped from 60.7 in September to 59.2 in October, the slowest pace of growth since March. Meanwhile, supplier delivery times widened to the longest on record, and input and output prices grew the fastest rates in survey’s history, dating back to mid-2007, according to Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers. 10/26/2021